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Despite incurring a shot clock violation on Monday night, Tiger Woods and his team outlasted Rory McIlroy and his club in the TGL match inside a 1,500-seat indoor arena in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
Golf is a sport rich in history, tradition, and unique trivia. Here are some fun golf facts that showcase the charm and quirky side of the game:
1. Oldest Golf Course
- St. Andrews Links in Scotland is considered the "Home of Golf" and is the oldest golf course in the world, dating back to the 15th century. The Old Course, still in use today, has been a part of golf’s history for over 600 years.
2. The First Golf Ball
- The first golf balls were made from wood, but in the 17th century, the introduction of "featherie" balls, made from leather and stuffed with feathers, revolutionized the game. These feather-filled balls were hand-sewn and could cost more than a golfer’s entire set of clubs!
3. Golf Has an Ancient History
- While modern golf began in Scotland, an early form of the game was played in ancient Rome and China. The game of “paganica,” played in ancient Rome, involved hitting a ball with a bent stick.
4. Longest Golf Drive
- The longest golf drive ever recorded was an astonishing 510 yards (1,530 feet) by Mike Austin during a competition in 1974. Austin was known for his incredible power off the tee and his unique swing technique.
5. Golf’s Smallest Hole
- The smallest hole on a golf course is typically around 4.25 inches in diameter. This measurement is standardized by the United States Golf Association (USGA), and a hole smaller than this would be considered illegal.
6. Golf’s First Female Member
- Mildred "Babe" Zaharias, an American athlete, became one of the first women to play in a professional men's golf tournament and won several major titles, including the U.S. Women's Open and the LPGA Championship.
7. The Masters and the Green Jacket
- The Green Jacket awarded to the winner of The Masters Tournament is iconic. It’s the only major golf championship where the winner receives a piece of clothing, and the jacket is not taken home—winners are required to return it to the club the next year.
8. Largest Golf Tournament
- The PGA Tour hosts many prestigious tournaments, but the largest golf event by attendance is the Waste Management Phoenix Open. It regularly attracts over 700,000 spectators throughout the week, especially at the famous 16th hole, which is surrounded by stadium-style seating.
9. The Golf Ball’s Dimples
- A golf ball typically has between 300-500 dimples. These dimples help to reduce air resistance and create lift, allowing the ball to fly farther and more accurately. It’s a small but crucial design feature that enhances performance.
10. Tiger Woods’ Career Earnings
- As of 2021, Tiger Woods has earned over $1.5 billion in career earnings, including tournament winnings and endorsements, making him one of the highest-paid athletes of all time.
11. The First Golf Cart
- Golf carts were first introduced in the early 1950s, but they were originally electric-powered and marketed as a way to assist disabled golfers or those who had difficulty walking the course. Today, they are a staple on many golf courses.
12. The Longest Hole
- The longest hole on a regulation golf course is the 7th hole at the Satsuki Golf Club in Japan. It measures a staggering 964 yards! It’s a par 7 hole, which is exceedingly rare in the world of golf.
13. The First Hole-in-One
- The first recorded hole-in-one was achieved in 1858 by Tom Morris, a Scottish golfer who accomplished the feat on the 7th hole at the Old Course in St. Andrews.
14. Golf and the Moon
- Alan Shepard, one of the astronauts on the Apollo 14 mission, famously hit two golf balls on the moon in 1971. He used a modified 6-iron club to hit the balls, making golf the first sport played in outer space.
15. The Importance of 18 Holes
- A traditional round of golf consists of 18 holes, a standard that was established at the Old Course in St. Andrews in 1764. Before then, courses could have as few as 9 holes. The 18-hole standard was later adopted by golf courses worldwide.
16. Golf’s Only Hole-in-One Car Prize
- In 2001, a hole-in-one at a golf tournament in California earned the player a brand-new car, making it one of the only tournaments where hitting a hole-in-one directly resulted in such a grand prize.
17. Golf’s Age Requirement
- The youngest golfer to play in a PGA Tour event was Golf prodigy, Jim Nantz who, at age 14, became the youngest golfer to compete in a tournament.
Golf is filled with rich history, quirky trivia, and fascinating facts that add to the charm and allure of the sport. Whether you're an avid player or just an enthusiastic fan, there's always something new to learn about this iconic game!
Scottie Scheffler tops the 2025 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am odds as the betting favorite in his return to the PGA Tour.
The post 2025 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am odds: Scottie Scheffler is betting favorite in return appeared first on Golf.
Golf-on-TV has become so mind-numbingly slow as to be completely out of step with the culture at large. It's high time for change.
The post In speed-crazed world, golf is getting slower. Blame self-absorption appeared first on Golf.
How to watch the Tiger Woods vs. Rory McIlroy TGL match on Monday, January 27, including full TGL TV coverage, streaming details and more.
The post How to watch Tiger Woods vs. Rory McIlroy TGL match on Monday: TV coverage, streaming, teams appeared first on Golf.
From their early playing and coaching days to a long career in broadcasting, Peter Kostis and Gary McCord have always been entrenched in golf.
The post WATCH: The GOLF Magazine Interview with Peter Kostis and Gary McCord appeared first on Golf.
Tour Tempo's John Novosel Jr. explains a couple of simple drills you can do at home to gain speed and power in your swing.
The post This drill will help you create more energy in your backswing appeared first on Golf.
A proper recovery is key to a long, healthy golf season. Use these tools to reduce fatigue, prevent injury and even improve your performance.
The post Boost your recovery with these Hyperice devices (now on sale!) appeared first on Golf.
We did a deep dive into all the details of the new PING G440 drivers. If you’re pressed for time and just want a quick recap of what you should know before you buy (or try) the PING G440, here are the most important facts.
The models and who they are for
There are three PING G440 models, and an alternative High Launch (HL) build available in two of the models. They include the G440 LST, G440 MAX, G440 SFT. The PING G430 MAX 10K remains in the lineup as PING’s highest MOI forgiveness driver.
G440 LST (Low Spin Tech): 450cc pear-shaped head (slightly more compact than the G430 LST), designed for lower spin. Available lofts: nine and 10.5 degreesG440 MAX: A “middle-of-the-bell-curve” driver, slightly more compact than before. Balances forgiveness and speed. Available lofts: nine, 10.5 and 12 degreesG440 SFT (Straight Flight Tech): A slice-correction driver, now also offered in a nine-degree option (along with 10.5). It features a larger address profile than the MAX but is not as large as the MAX 10K.G440 HL (High Launch): A lightweight build option, available in the SFT or MAX model for golfers with slower swing speeds. It is designed with a lighter head, shaft and grip to improve launch and distance.Weight-saving technologies
PING had incorporated some of the Carbonfly Wrap Crown into G430 drivers but all drivers in the G440 lineup have this weight-saving technology.
In addition, you’ll find that the middle portion of the internal hosel support system has been removed. This saved another four grams and helped with faster ball speed.
The thinner face saved another few grams. PING saw a need for speed and made some adjustments to make it happen.
Most golf fans agree the season revolves around the major championships. To make sure you’re ready for the biggest events, here are some key details about this year’s men’s major championships.
The Masters
(GETTY IMAGES/Ben Jared)
Dates: April 10–13Location: Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Ga.2024 Champion: Scottie SchefflerScottie Scheffler won his second green jacket in 2024. That win (and a few others last year) makes him the early favorite to defend. Other top picks include Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Xander Schauffele.
PGA Championship
GETTY IMAGES/Andrew Redington
Dates: May 15–18Location: Quail Hollow Club, Charlotte, N.C.2024 Champion: Xander SchauffeleThis is not the first time the PGA Championship has been held at Quail Hollow. Thomas won here in 2017. Scheffler is the top pick to win over defending champion Schauffele.
U.S. Open
Courtesy: Oakmont Country Club
Dates: June 12–15Location: Oakmont Country Club, Oakmont, Pa.2024 Champion: Bryson DeChambeauThe U.S. Open is returning to historic Oakmont for the 10th time. It last hosted in 2016 when Dustin Johnson won. Other champions at Oakmont include Tommy Armour, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, Johnny Miller and Ernie Els. Once again (sensing a theme?), Scheffler is the favorite.
The Open Championship
GETTY IMAGES/David Cannon
Dates: July 17–20Location: Royal Portrush Golf Club, Portrush, Northern Ireland2024 Champion: Xander SchauffeleThis will be the third time Royal Portrush plays host to the Open Championship. When it was held in 2019, Irishman Shane Lowry won. Scheffler is the favorite with a narrow lead over McIlroy who grew up playing Portrush..
Some Rules of Golf are easy to remember and you feel confident when making a ruling. Others are tricky. Here’s one that has changed throughout history and it’s a good one to brush up on.
Golf ball moves on the putting green
Tim and Jim are on the 16th green. They have a match going and it’s close. Tim has marked, lifted and replaced his ball on the putting green. Just as he’s about to address it, the wind picks up and the ball rolls an inch off its spot.
Jim, who is looking for any edge he can get at this point, informs Tim that he has to take a one-stroke penalty because his ball moved.
What’s the ruling?
Your turn to be the Rules official. What’s the ruling here?
A) Tim must replace the ball on the spot it was moved from without incurring a penalty.
If every golf hole was straight with the green visible from the tee, it would detract from the game. Some might even say golf could get boring. That’s where dogleg holes come into play. They make golf courses more interesting and add a layer of strategy to the game. Here are some details and strategies to help you better play a dogleg hole.
What Is A Dogleg Hole in Golf?
A dogleg is a golf hole that bends to the left or right. The bend often occurs in the fairway about halfway between tee and green. It forces players to strategically position their tee shots for the best approach to the green.
Unlike straight holes, where a straight drive is typically best, a straight tee shot on a dogleg can sometimes lead to trouble. You may end up blocked by trees, hazards or rough.
In the case of a severe dogleg, the green may be completely hidden from view when you’re standing on the tee due to the angle of the hole. Doglegs require players to carefully assess distance, aim and shot shape to navigate the bend and play the hole correctly.
Dogleg strategies
The dogleg layout forces you to navigate the corner at some point. For some players, this means laying up a little short to hit a second shot around the corner.
John Daly has some excellent advice for amateur golfers struggling to make solid contact with their irons: make a shorter swing.
The post John Daly’s ‘best thing to do’ to hit solid shots with an iron appeared first on Golf.
GOLF's editors discuss Justin Thomas' letter, solutions to the PGA Tour's pace of play issues and Scottie Scheffler's return to action.
The post Tour Confidential: Slow-play solutions, Scottie Scheffler’s return and more appeared first on Golf.
Harris English won at the Farmers Insurance Open with Golf Pride's new MCC Align Max grips, the first to put them in play.
The post Harris English’s win came after 1 under-the-radar gear switch appeared first on Golf.
On this week's episode of GOLF's Fully Equipped, New Level's Andy Hennis and Kevin Masterson explain why all players can play their irons.
The post Why New Level’s new forged irons fit more players than you think | Fully Equipped appeared first on Golf.
